Telescopic extensible antenna



Oct. 6, 1942. A. 'r. MACE TELESCOPIC EXTENSIBLE ANTENNA Filed Jan. 18,1940 Fig 4 A INVENTOR. ARTHUR TMACE ATTORNEYS Patented Oct. 6, 1942TELESCOPIC EXTENSIBIIE ANTENNA Arthur T. Mace, Cleveland, Ohio, assignorto The Radiart Corporation, East 'corporation of Ohio Cleveland, Ohio, a

y Application January 1s, 194e, serial Nn. 314,470

6 Claims.

to ar telescoping antenna comprising a single tube and a rod adapted tobe slidingly engaged thereby for use in conjunction with lvehicularradio rev cep'tion and transmission sets.

Such antennae are subject to various road shocks and jars'whichfrequently cause an extended antenna to collapse and rattle. Antennae ofthe type having a plurality of extensible tubes and la rod extensiblefrom the innermost tube have heretofore beeny provided Iwith means formaintaining the tubes in extended relation. Due, however, to therelatively small diameter of the innermost tube used in an antenna ofthe type to which this invention relates, diiiiculty has beenexperienced in providing means for maintaining the rod and tubeinextended relation.

The primary object of this invention has been to provide an antenna ofthe type described which will maintain, as between the innermost rod andtube, any pre-selected degree kof extension. Another object of thisinvention has been to provide means retained within the unsupported endof the tube for maintaining it and the rod in extended` relation. Afurther object has been to provide an antenna of the type described, inwhich the tendency of the elements to rattle iS eliminated. Anadditional object has been to provide an antenna of the type describedin which the electrical contacts `between the various elements arepositive and eliminate electricalvnoise in the radio set.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, said invention,then, consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularlypointed out in the claims;l the annexed drawing and the followingdescription setting forth in detail certain structure embodying theinvention, such disclosed means constituting, however, lbut one ofvarious structural forms in which the principle of the invention may beused.

In said annexed drawing:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary side view of an antenna embodying the preferredform ofithis invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view, taken on a planepassingthrough the vertical axis of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a. perspective view of a clamp which is part of thisinvention;

in accordance with this invention attached to a vehicle.

Having reference now to the drawing in which like reference charactersare employed to designate videntical elements, and referringparticularly to Figs. 1, 2 and 4, the antenna illustrated therein isseen to comprise an elongated metallic tube I0, one end I I of whichthreadingly engages a inger knob I2. The other end of the tube has agradual taper I3, terminating in a neck vI4 of diminished diameter. Anannular groove or indentation I5 is provided in the .tube I0 to providea constriction in the tube which cooperates with the constricted taperedportion I3 to retain a. rod clamping means as hereafter set out. Ametallic rod I1 is snugly received in the neck I 4 and is slidabletherein for extension and retraction as desired.' The lower inner end ofthe rod is fiattened, as at I8.'

The rod is maintained in desired position in the tube by spring meanspositioned between the neck and annular groove. To this end two bushingsand 2| are maintained within the tube I 0 adjacent and below the taperI3 and the groove I5, respectively, and to provide bearings or guidesfor the rod Il. The flattened portion I8 is of such size that it cannotpass through bushing 2 I.

means is shown in Figs. 2 and 3 and is seen to comprise a pair ofcollars 25 spaced apart and i connected by an arm, as shown in Fig. 3.'I'he Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2, but illustrates a modificationthereof Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the clamp shown in Fig. 4; and

two collars and the arm are preferably integral.

The inside diameters of the collars 25 are slightly larger than theexternal diameter of the rod II and are adapted to slide therealong. Thearm 21 is waved so as to provide two crests 26 which bear against therod Il and a trough 21 which bears against the tube I 0. This wave issumciently deep to cause the arm to lbe. flexed or deformed when it isinterposed between the tube I 0 and the rod II. The collars are lockedin the tube lli between the bushingA 20 and the groove I5. The uppercollar engages the bushing and the lower collar engages the groove. Thusthe tube and rod are each gripped -by-the arm and the collars are cockedor tilted and also grip the rod.

A modification of the construction of Fig. 3 is Fig. 6 is a view showingan antenna constructed ""5 shown in Fig. 4 and comprises a short tube 30of inner diameter which will permit it to slidingly engage the rod I'I.Depending and bent outwardly from the tube 30 and secured thereto, as bysoldering or welding, is a resilient iinger 32, a portion of which isbent inwardly, as at 33. The tube 340 is maintained in the desiredposition between the bushinglZIJ and the groove I5. 'I'he finger 32rests against and is deflected inwardly by the inner wall of the tube Iand causes the tube 30 to tilt or rock with respect to the rod I1. Thusthe tube 30 and the rod become frictionally locked together, and sincethe tube 30 is locked with respect to the tube I0, the latter is locked'with respect to the vrod I1.

Since sleeve 25 and the tube 30 become tilted, the thickness thereof issuch that the entire space between the rod I'I and the tube It* is notoccupied.

As is shown in Fig. 6, to attach an antenna embodying this invention toga` vehicle, there is projecting on either side of the vehicle roof 40 abushing 4I, which snugly grips the tube III so that the operator oi thevehicle may, by reaching toward the windshield I2, push up or pull downthe finger knob I2, causing the tube I0 to slide up or down through thebushing 4I; thus raising or lowering with it the rod I1 with respect tothe roof of the vehicle.

'I'he rod I1 and the tube III are normally so adjusted that, when thetube I0 is-lowered from the vehicle interior, the upper tip of the rodI'I clears conventional constructions, such as garages, trees and thelike.

It will be understood that the tube 30 or collars 25 could be lockedaxially with respect to the rod I'I instead of the tube I 0. I'hisreversal oi' mounting is accomplished by eliminating the groove I5,whereupon the flattened portion I8 will push the bushing 2l up andagainst the tube 30 or the collars 25. In such a construction ailattened portion similar to the one shown at I8 is provided immediatelyabove the bushing 20 to cause the tube 30 or the collars 25 to be lockedto the rod I'l.

The antenna lead-in to the radio set is electrically connected to theaerial members at any suitable point.

'Ihe resiliency of the parts above described and shown in Figs. 3 and 5tends to decrease rattling of the rod I1 against the tube I0 and makefor more emcient and less noisy electrical contact so that radio signalsare conducted from the top oi the rod to the lead-in connection asthough all the parts were one continuous electrical member.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employedinstead of the one explained, change being made as regards the structureherein disclosed, provided the means stated by any ofl the followingclaims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention:

1. In a vehicular antenna, an outer tubular element, an elementprojecting therein and slidable with respect thereto, a collar freelyiltting between said elements and adapted to be tilted with respectthereto, a resilient arm rigidly connected to said collar for engagingone of said elements and for tilting said collar whereby it engages theother of said elements to frictionally retain said parts together inpreselected posi- 2. In a device oi the character described, a'

tube, an element projecting therein and adapted for extension andretraction with respect thereto, a. collar within said tube and freelyiitting between saidelement and said tube an arm extending from andrigidly connected to said collar, said arm being adapted for engagementwith said tube to force said collar against said element forfrictionally locking said tube and said element with respect to eachother.

3. In a telescopic extensible antenna, a tube terminating in a neck, anelongated member extending into said tube beyond said neck, a lockingelement interposed between said tube and said member and adapted forfrictionally engaging said tube and said member to retain the same inpreselected position with respect to each other, saidA elementcomprising at least one sleeveshaped member adjacent said neck andadapted to fit around said elongated member and a resilient portionconnected to said sleeve-shaped member and engaging said tube, said tubehaving an indentation adapted to engage that end of said locking elementwhich is remote from said neck whereby movement of said sleeve-shapedmember axially with respect to said tube is limited.

4. In a device of the character described a tube having two spaced andadjacent annular portions of reduced inner diameter, an elementprojecting into both of said portions and extensible and retractablewith respect thereto, and a spring having sleeve-shaped end portions anda middle portion interconnecting the end portions, said spring beinglocated between both oi' said tube portions and having the sleeve-shapedends abutting the same while said middle portion is in engagement withsaid tube and said element for restraining said extension andretraction.

5. In a device of the character described, a tube one end of which isopen and has a' taper that terminates in a neck, the portion of saidtube adjacent said taper being provided with a constriction, an elementprojecting into said tube through said neck and beyond saidconstriction, and a spring adapted to engage said ,tube and said elementfor maintaining them in preselected position with respect to each other,said spring having sleeves formed at the ends thereof, said sleevesbeing adapted for freely fitting between said tube and said element,said spring having a middle portion which is waved and ilexed betweensaid tube and said element whereby said sleeves tilt and frictionallyengage said element.

6. In a device of the character described, a tube one end of which isopen and has a taper that terminates in a neck, the portion of said tubeadjacent said taper being provided with a constriction, an elementprojecting into said tube through said neck and beyond saidconstriction, and a spring adapted to engage said tube and said elementfor maintaining themin preselected position with respect to each other,said spring having sleeve-shaped end portions, said taper and saidconstriction serving to abut said end portions for maintaining saidspring between said taper and said constriction.

ARTHUR T. MACE.

